Given To Give

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

     Take in the blessings of God this week. Allow Him to fill the holes in your heart and bless you in all things at all times. Jesus loves you to the moon and back and beyond the stars. After all, He has washed your sins as white as snow. Take that love and the blessings of God and give some away. Count your blessings on Thanksgiving Day and everyday. And don’t forget to pray for others and allow others to pray for you.

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  2 Corinthians 9:14-15

     God’s gift of grace is meant to be shared. And prayer changes things. Prayer opens hearts and heals wounds and gives peace. I thank God for each one of you and pray that God’s gifts be given to you abundantly so that you may overflow with them to others.

Happy Thanksgiving! See you Monday.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for Your indescribable gifts. We take each one as a blessing from You and we ask to be given opportunities to give to others.

Amen

Pure and Lovely

     Well, let’s admit it. Along with the delightful smells, tastes, sounds and anticipation of the season there is more. More stress, more busyness, more annoying relatives. There are ethe gifts that don’t work and have to be returned. We overeat, overshop and overdo it. Take a break before the hoopla begins and think on these things.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

     What do you think? Can we rise above the craziness and focus on the lovely and excellent and pure? Focus on the love around you and the One who came for us. It’s all about Him after all. He can change everything.

Jesus,

Calm our spirits as we get ready to celebrate the loveliest and purest gift ever given, the life You sacrifieed for us, taking on all of the things that are not lovely and pure. Keep our focus on You and sharing all of the excellent and noble gifts You give to us.

Amen

The Aroma of Christ

     The sights, smells and sounds are upon us. Snow has fallen. Christmas lights and displays greet us. The smell of pine infiltrates our homes. Many of us will savor the smell and taste of our Thanksgiving turkeys. I love this time of the year and look forward to decorating, baking, and spending time with loved ones. Picking out gifts and delighting the young ones around us add to the holiday anticipation.

     What about the reason for the season? What about the anticipation of celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus? The sights and sounds of the choir of angels greeting the shepherds as they tended their flocks? The realization that the Savior of the world was wrapped in swaddling clothes? What were the sights and sounds and smells of the manger where he slept?  The surroundings were common, but the magnitude of the event, astounding!

     Did you know we can be the aroma of Christ? Imagine that this season as our minds and hearts are distracted from the true meaning of Christmas.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  2 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus,

Help us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of You throughout this season. We celebrate You. Born of a woman and the Son of God! Sent to save us all. We look forward to celebrating Your birth. Help our focus to remain on You throughout this busy season filled with sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.

Amen

     Let’s end the week with hearts full of gratitude for our blessings. Number One is Jesus. He died for us and now sits at the right hand of God. Our names our written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, if we believe, and we will inherit eternal life with no more sorrow, no more sickness, no more death. Hallelujah!

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4

     Take some time this week to praise God and count your blessings. His creation surrounds us in its beauty. The snow and cold gives us a time to reflect and to rest awaiting the sprouting buds of spring. Plant seeds of thanksgiving in your heart and cultivate them over the winter, expecting and anticipating God’s favor and blessing on your life. He is able and He will do it!

Father,

We thank and praise You today for Jesus. Let His love and blessing plant seeds in our hearts of gratitude and peace. Give us time each day to rest in Your presence in order to take on the world around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Nothing New Under The Sun

Here are a handful of other common phrases found in the Bible.

Like mother, like daughter:

Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you, “like mother like daughter.” Ezekiel 16:44

A sign of the times:

And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and towering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Matthew 16:3

Heart’s desire:

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.  Psalm21:2

A law unto themselves:

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.  Romans 2:14

Nothing new under the sun:

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tender mercies:

Remember O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.  Psalm 25:6

Writing on the wall:

In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Daniel 5:5

This handwriting on the wall came directly before the collapse of Babylon. The term “handwriting is on the wall” indicates something bad is about to happen.

Lord,

Thank you for reminding us of just a few of the sayings that come from Your Word. There are hundreds more. We long to know the whole counsel of Your Word. Keep teaching us from it daily.

Amen

Nothing New Under The Sun

     Did you know the Bible played a large role in the development of our language and many of the common phrases we use today come from Scripture? Here are just a few you might hear and use frequently. The verses are from the original King James version of the Bible.

The blind leading the blind:

“Let them alone; they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:13-14

Can a leopard change his spots?

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil.”  Jeremiah 13:23

A fly in the ointment:

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour, so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Ecclesiastes 10:1

For everything there is a season:

Read Ecclesiastes 3. You will find the words that made up the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds.

Nothing but skin and bones:

“All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones.” Job 19:19-20

Rise and shine:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

    This is fun. Maybe we’ll continue tomorrow.

Dear Lord,

We speak Your glorious Word without even knowing it. Keep the truth of the Bible written on the tablets of our hearts for Jesus’ sake.

Amen

Perfect Love

     We go where our children go. We fight for them. We worry over them. We feel their pain and long to take it away. We dive into the pit to save them and we rejoice for them as they reach for the stars. We love them. My husband and I would do anything for our girls, even though they have moved into adulthood. But our love is not perfect.

     We make mistakes. We say the wrong things, use the wrong words, give the wrong advice.. And we worry too much. There is a perfect parent. He has the perfect love. His Son loves us with a perfect love. And He goes into the pit with us. He rejoices with us and His advice always works. Jesus can cast out all fear.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.  1 John 4:18a

     The way to remove our fear and worry, whether for ourselves or our loved ones is to place all of it and all of them safely into the arms of Jesus. Do you trust Him with your fear? Do you trust Him with your family? With your life? Only then can we have true peace. Peace in all circumstances. Peace to let go. Peace to take the step we dread to take. Peace in the words we need to speak. Peace in letting our little girls go and live out their precious lives. The peace in trusting our loving, perfect Father. Let it be so.

Father,

We long to cast all of our cares on You. Help us to place our families and our concerns with You each day. Show us how to take on the world around us with confidence. Our confidence comes from Christ within us. Thank you for loving us. It is perfect love. And it comes from the sacrifice of Jesus. In His name we pray.

Amen

Do You? Will You?

Do you?      

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life?

Believe and you will live eternally!

Will you?

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Follow Him and lead others to Him!

Does He?

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

He loves you!

Will He?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, beither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

No, He will never leave you!

Jesus,

We do believe you suffered, died and rose again for our sins. We believe we will inherit eternal life. You will never leave us. You love us that much.

Amen

Just Do It!

     Before you get too comfortable being still before God and resting in Christ, there is a purpose for the time spent with Him. Just as Jesus needed time away to pray and sit with His Father, so do we. When we find time to pray, to listen and fill ourselves with the Word of God, we understand there is work to do.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.  James 1:25

     What will Jesus and His Word give you?

·       A prompting to call someone?

·       A next step to take during a difficult time?

·       Visions of a new dream or job?

·       Forgive?

·       Offer hope?

·       Bring food to a grieving friend?

·       Send a card?

·       Pray for a loved one?

·       Go to church?

·       Change a habit?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

     Resting in Christ and feeding ourselves with the Word of God transforms us and renews our mind to be more like Him. That freedom allows us to do what the Bible says. It’s a beautiful thing. Remember the song? How do we know Jesus loves me? The Bible tells me so. Forget what the world is saying and telling you to do. Take some quiet time to listen to the Sovereign One. And get up from your quiet time and do it!

Jesus,

Show us what to do for You in the short time we are here. Only faith, hope and love will remain and the greatest of these is love. Reduce us to loving one another.

Amen

     

Rest

     This week we talked about being still and knowing God (Psalm 46:10) and that the final battle has been won and through Christ we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) Because of Jesus we can find rest in Him.  Rest…do you need some? With the busiest of seasons just around the corner, maybe we all do.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God, my hope comes from Him.  Psalm 62:5

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty.  Psalm 91:1

   

     Jesusand His disciples had been busy, crowds all around. Imagine Him saying these same words to you:

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  Mark 6:31

     He beckons us to come with Him to a quiet place and rest and He says to you and me:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29

     A yoke was placed around the necks of two oxen as they pulled a heavy load. They shared the burden. Jesus offers to carry the load with us. And when you go with Jesus to a quiet spot, remember. He is the reason for the season.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for giving us rest in You. Give us quiet time with You during these busy days and refresh and renew us for the purposes we are meant to do.

Amen

Conquerors

     I think we would all agree. Life can be a battle. Nation vs. nation. Man vs. man. Nature vs. earth. Spirit vs. flesh. We get caught up in the turmoil of it all. Anxiety and grief become a part of our days. A spark can erupt into a firestorm of fear.

     And there is Christ. Remember, He has won the battle. He has won the war. Satan is on a leash and one day the Father will yank him into the firey pit, along with every form of evil. Death has been won. Life has won over death and we can rest in the finished work of the Messiah.

     Somehow, over time, He takes our pain and suffering and grief, the battles we have fought so hard to win and He makes them into something precious. He collects our tears and works His miracles until the wisdom and comfort we have searched to win becomes a comfort or a Word for someone else. And our tragedies become triumphs and our mess becomes a message.

     Whatever battle you are fighting do not be shaken. Your foundation is secure. You are more than a conqueror.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 16:8

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Dear Father,

Jesus won the battle. We will not be shaken. Though we are struck down, we are not destroyed. Jesus conquered evil and death. Let us rest in Him.

Amen

Selah

                                                                            

     The word, “Selah” appears in a variety of places in the Bible, most often in the Psalms. It is a word on its own, tucked between verses.  The meaning used most often for this word is “to pause.”

     Many of the Psalms were sung as songs of praise to God. Journeying each year to their temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish people would sing together praises to their God. The word may have been used as a pause to catch a breath or as a break for the musical instruments. Two other meanings of the word are “to weigh or balance” and “to praise.”

     This winter, as we sit out a storm or two, as we sit in traffic, when we come in early because of diminishing daylight, as we make stew or soup or walk outside in the quiet of a snow-filled day, let’s pause and weigh the Words of God and praise Him. Let this winter be a time to be still and know Him.  Selah

He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a

Father,

Give us time to be still before You, to feel Your presence around us. Protect us. Give us strength. Bring us comfort and peace. We pause to praise You this morning. Selah

Amen 

Snow

     It’s the talk of the nation. The headline in the Midwest. Minnesota is getting ready. Our neighbors were out in droves frantically raking and bagging the leaves. One of our trees still has leaves on it. But it’s coming today; the first snowstorm of the year. And it’s a doozy.

     When you are out cleaning your driveway and stretching your aching backs, notice the beauty of the snow. And be reminded of God and His Word. Snow will replenish the earth and get it ready for spring. And it will cover the dirt and the dust with a beautiful white. It’s what Jesus did for us!

   “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though  they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

 

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10-11

 Dear Lord,

We do thank You for Your Word and for Your Son. He cleanses our sins white as snow. Please keep everyone safe as they drive in the freshly fallen snow today and keep our minds on You as You replenish our souls.

Amen

More and Even More

     Does your life look like you are a follower of Jesus? Remember He offers the abundant, Spirit-filled life. He offers grace upon grace and we move from glory to glory reflecting His image in ever-increasing ways. The “more” and “even more” of Jesus is available 24/7 to those who love Him.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 1 Timothy 1:9

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

     The reflection of Jesus may show an inner peace, a deep joy in spite of circumstances, a patient heart or a generous soul. The people around you may need a dose of Jesus. Could it be you? Can you represent Him? The angriest, most critical, most arrogant people you know need Him the most. You may not think they deserve Jesus.

     Neither did we.

Dear Father,

You love us all right where we are. Change us into Your image with the help of Your Spirit. The abundant life is filled with the giving and receiving of God’s blessings. It’s how life works in the realm of the Holy Spirit. We don’t get it, but we want it.

In Jesus name

Amen

More and Even More

     Are you recognizing the potential to gain the “more” of Christ? How about the “much more” of His love and His gifts? Our gravity-bound, earth-dwelling selves know how to love. But the love of God is beyond the moon and the stars for us.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Luke 11:13

     We give good gifts to our children and want the best for them. But “how much more” God gives to us! Did you notice what Jesus tell us to do? We are to “ask” for the Holy Spirit. This greatest of all gifts will be your teacher, your guide, your comforter, your intercessor. The very Spirit of God is within you. Sit with your heavenly father and ask for “more” of the Spirit and feel the power of the resurrected King.

Lord,

We ask for complete filling of Your Spirit, the same Spirit that dwells with You! You always have more to give and You tell us to ask. We pray to You this morning in Jesus name.

Ame

       

More and Even More

     Moses came as close as anyone in the Old Testament to the presence of God. God hid Moses in the crevice of a rock and placed His hand over the crevice as His glory moved past. The closeness of the glory of God shone on Moses and he had to wear a veil in order for the Israelites to look at him!

     As Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple ripped in two. This enormously heavy veil enclosed the spot where the presence of God resided. It was called the “holy of holies.”  And here we are, in the days of God’s grace, beyond the cross and the resurrection. See the “more” of Christ in today’s verses. Paul wrote these words, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, about 30 years after the resurrection.

Even to this day when Moses is read a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3-15-18

     These are some life-transforming verses. Let them sink in. We are being transformed into Christ’s image with ever-increasing glory! From glory to glory, the more and even more of a relationship with Christ. James (Jesus’ half-brother) says the Word of God is like a mirror and as we read and meditate and learn from it, we become like that image.

     Reflect God’s glory. Let Him take over and transform your life as only He can. The veil has been lifted! It’s His work, not ours. Become that jar of clay. He can mold you into His work of art.

Dear Lord,

These Words are miraculous and awe-inspiring. Only you could take sin-filled man and fill them with something beautiful; Your Spirit. Let it be said of us that we are Yours.

Amen

More and Even More

     We are fortunate to live in God’s grace. Grace is the good news of Jesus. In addition to Webster’s definitions of the ways we use the word, like “goodwill” and “beauty of form or movement,” there is the definition, “God’s love.” Yes, grace is God’s love poured out through His Son. We live in His grace day by day and as we continue to talk about the “more” of Jesus, there it is; His abundant grace.

For from His fullness we have received grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV

     When you think you can’t be forgiven one more time. When that nasty habit rears its ugly head or you speak out in anger or use God’s name in vain, the Holy Spirit convicts us with a gentle voice and Jesus waits for us again to come back to Him. He reminds His child that it was finished on the cross. He never leaves us. He just keeps washing over us with His grace. And then more grace. Grace upon grace.

Jesus,

Thank you for Your never-ending grace. Your gospel is the gospel of grace. What a beautiful Word from You. May we never forget it.

Amen

More and Even More

     In our current Bible study we discovered the terms “more and more” and “even more” appear many times in Scripture God gives us free choice. The Scripture makes it clear. We choose life or death. We choose blessing or cursing. Which would you choose?

     Jesus offers us more. Are you satisfied? He will give you more. Are you empty? He will fill you to the full until it overflows. Do you have more than enough? He offers even more! The choices are stark. Evil may increase more and more. Corruption even more. Sin abounds.

     The contrast? There He is: Jesus. Each day this week we will focus on a verse; a verse with the “more” of Jesus. Remind yourself of the choices you have today. Fill up on life and blessing. He offers it in abundance.

     From the Amplified Bible, Jesus tells us:

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) John 10:10 AMP

    Don’t let that pesky devil steal your joy, destroy your health and kill your soul. Ask Jesus to give you more of the abundant life in Him. He gives and gives to the full, til it overflows.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Your Son freely gave Himself to us when we didn’t deserve it, accepting the suffering we all deserve. Not only has He washed us clean from sin and promised heaven, He offers the abundant life on earth. How do we not choose Him?

In Jesus name,